- Data Analysis for Public Policy
- Finance Function in Nonprofits & SCOs
- Development Economics
- Public Policy & Social Change
- Starting a Social Change Organization
- Evaluation Practicum
- Organizational Sustainability for SCOs
- Public Sector & Social Innovation
- Systems Thinking
Data Analysis for Public Policy
Important for nearly every field of study, this Data Analysis course focused on the tools needed to effectively measure public policy and practice. Using the local water crisis in the Monterey Bay as our case study, we learned how to collect data and analyze community perception of the problem. To do so, I learned skills such as hypothesis testing, estimation, variance analysis, simple and multiple regression analysis, and sampling. I also learned how to use R, R Commander, and Excel to analyze data sets.
Finance Function in Nonprofits
For this course, I helped develop the strategic financial plan for the new social enterprise, Nomadic Change. I co-created a comprehensive financial plan, including sales projections, cash flow models, profit and loss statements, and purchasing plan. Additionally, we developed strategic marketing and partnership plans for the company’s future growth initiatives. To develop these strategies, my team employed the Strategyzer Business Model Canvas, Excel, and conducted informational interviews.
I also completed an individual project regarding financial best practices for museums.
In my case study, I analyzed museum finance function through a detailed financial case study
of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Please visit the website I created for this project to learn more: Museum Financial Management.
Development Economics 
The field of economics is vast, and development-specific economics comes with many considerations and complications. In this class, I focused on the financial, social, and cultural costs of development work in underserved countries. Through as a series of analytical papers, my team and I evaluated financial models, assessed economic potential, and created development indices. Access our final report regarding the economic issues facing the Republic of Sudan here.
Public Policy & Social Change
Starting a Social Change Organization
Taught by Evan Bloom, this class focuses on how to comprehensively design a social change organization. Using the online business modeling platform, Strategyzer, each student mapped out the various components needed to start his or her organization. These mapping techniques help break down program development in different categories, including customer segment, revenue and cost streams, activities, key partnerships, value proposals, and resources. Color coordination helps keep the information organized, and notes and comments are used to elaborate on ideas. My organization was designed to provide educational opportunities to young women living in the Siwa Oasis, Egypt. To read the accompanying narrative, access it here: Al-Weltamat Al-Siwia (Siwian Sisters).
Evaluation Practicum
I was part of a seven-member consultancy team whose aim was to design the learning outcomes for the Development, Practice & Policy program at MIIS. Our methodology included use of Blooms’ Taxonomy, case studies, student surveys, and focus groups. The project culminated in a final report aimed at providing the program administration and faculty with knowledge for changing and improving the program.
Organizational Sustainability for SCOs
An important but underused principle in development is the concept of organizational sustainability. Ideally, an organization is aware of not only current habits but also its long term impact within its target community. While traditional consultancies often involve an external evaluation of an organization, the theory behind organizational sustainability is that problems and solutions are recognized from within and as part of an emergent process.
To understand this complex process and put our knowledge into practice, I– along with three other colleagues– worked with the Mixed Methods, Training, and Analysis (META) Lab at MIIS to assess its structural sustainability and impact. Even while using traditional techniques such as surveys and case-studies, we spent a great deal of time with our clients experiencing their work in action. We also interacted with the META Lab’s target audiences, collaborators, and supporters to assess its influence and impact within the community. In order to best understand our clients’ needs and attitudes, we employed several analysis tools to inform our consultancy, including:
- Roles and responsibilities diagram
- Rich picture methods
- Ecosystem mapping
- Stakeholder interviews
- Organizational sustainability framework
This process resulted in several recommendations for our client, including marketing and branding ideas, an evaluation of the management system, new business model suggestions, and strategic plans for future iterations.
Public Sector & Social Innovation
Outside-the-box thinking is slowly making its way into the field of development, and this course highlighted several ways in which nonprofits can innovate using private sector techniques. Many of the ideas are straightforward: from physical space redesign to social network analysis to design thinking. For the different case studies and scenarios studied, my team and I analyzed why certain programs are effective and where others are failing. For example, where is public policy inhibiting community development because of antiquated laws and how can social innovation reshape our thinking around common issues?
Systems Thinking